Queer the Space: Plus Size Fashion Finds for Masculine of Center Folks

Y’all, in the last year we have seen an ABSOLUTE EXPLOSION of plus-size brands entering the arena, butttttt we haven’t seen a super slow uptake for more masculine garb. While I identify as a Hard Femme, it makes me sad to see my bbs bummed out because they can’t find clothes to express their gender.

What’s a queer to do?

Utilize some ~creative problem solving~, that’s what!

Below, I’ve listed brands who aren’t afraid to butt heads with the gender binary. I also know some great plus-size stylists, so if you’re in need of someone to hire (to avoid sad gender feel breakdowns in front of your computer), drop me a line and I’ll connect ya! Some of the stylists also offer sliding rates.

OKAY, NOW LET’S GET TO IT!

1. ASOS

Y’all, ASOS is almost the first “go-to” place I tell folks to check out when they’re looking to add pieces to their wardrobe. They offer pieces all along the spectrum, and I like to order from ASOS Plus Size Mens sometimes! ASOS currently has some mens cut floral suits that I am DYING OVERRRRR (whatever your gender, you’ll look scrumptious in one!), as well as great work wear and athleisure options.

Looking over at ASOS Curve, I recommend looking at pieces, and mentally placing your head on the model’s frame. That’s sounds macabre, but doing so will allow you to look at pieces and imagine them on your body, verses a hyper feminized form.

2. ELOQUII

I can hear what you’re thinking – ELOQUII? FOR REALS? Eloquii has great suiting options for babes with a little more curve, who don’t necessarily want to play that up. The 9-5 Blazer, in particular, keeps a pretty straight cut, while also accommodating for changes in body mass.

Eloquii also the iconic “Kady Fit Pant” a tapered not-quite-but-almost-skinny leg pant, great for folks who are a bit “hippier” but want a tailored look. This pant is for taller folks, so be sure to check your leg length – you may also be stuck in the petites/gnome section with me!

3. TomboyX

Y’all, this is a brand that CELEBRATES masculine of center//androgynous/gender bbs. Their undies and PJs (and socks!!) are super soft and comfy.

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CW: Body hate . For me, Instagram, and the (mostly) online body positive community has created this kind of incredible safe space. . A couple of years ago, I was diagnosed with PCOS. An estimated 10% of people with uteruses have PCOS, and most of us find out because of weight gain. A lot of weight gain. . Between my freshman year at Stanford in 2009, and graduating in 2016, I gained 80 pounds. I tried HCG (where you eat 500 calories a day and take pregnancy hormones), meal replacement shakes, calorie counting apps, CrossFit, and a host of other “Lose the MF weight!” programs. . And while I do love myself a lot of the time, sometimes I pass a mirror in Target and feel nauseous. Some days, I avoid mirrors altogether. Some days, I look in the mirror and cry. When people pose the hypothetical question of “What do you think you’re 18yo self would think of you now?” as a way to interrogate your dreams, I can’t even get that far. . My 18yo self would be fucking horrified if she saw me. Thinness is health. Thinness is the gateway to success and wealth. . I don’t know how to have an intimate relationship with my body right now. . And, I hope that in saying this, you know you’re not alone. That while i feel like a BABE in a lot of the photos I post, sometimes I desperately want to be thin. And while my value as a person isn’t determined by my health, I don’t feel good right now. I want to feel vibrant and healthy, but right now I just feel – sludgelike. I have a tender hope of figuring out how to feel better and healthier in 2018, but for me, health has always been equated to weight loss (even at my skinniest), so unpacking that association has been the challenge of this year. And I think it’ll continue to be a challenge. . I asked a bunch of my friends to listen to the latest episode on @shesallfatpod, an episode about being the ‘fat friend,’ because it encapsulates so many of my feelings and experiences that I didn’t know how to communicate. Thank you, to the friends who listened. Thank you, to the people who hold space for me to have complex and nuanced emotions about my body. . I hope you know that you’re not alone. And I’m right here with you.

A post shared by Brianne Huntsman 🏹 (@the_huntswoman) on Nov 28, 2017 at 7:16am PST

4. OLD NAVY

Ahhh, good ol’ Old Navy. A staple of my middle school wardrobe, Old Navy has more accessible options for masculine fat and plus size folks. I myself have marched my hard femme ass around the men’s section in-store, because gender is a MF social construct!!

I’m a reaaaal big fan of this sort of vintage-y look they have going right now, perfect for your inner California Surfer Boi. They’re also a great one-stop shop for short sleeve button ups, with J.Crew esque patterns (sans price). In my humble opinion, there’s nothing better than a masculine cutie sporting a short sleeve button up, with a few tattoos peeking out.

5. Beefcake Swim

6.  Sharpe Suiting

I first found out about Sharpe Suiting at the DapperQ fashion show in Brooklyn.  This brand is, well, SHARP.

Now, there are other brands out there that specifically design for the LGBTQ+ community, butttttt unfortunately don’t carry plus sizes (or stop at like a women’s US 14, cough Wildfang cough). If I’ve missed a brand on this roundup that NEEDS TO BE HERE, drop me a line.